Loop of Etiers - Cyclable

Depart from the town of Notre-Dame-de-Monts, latitude 46.8352100 (N 46° 50’ 7”), longitude -2.1381300 (W 2° 8’ 17”)

• Biotopia

• Departure in front of the Arboretum.
• Have you ever wondered what is hidden under your feet, behind you, under the water, in the sky?... Come explore the world of the littoral and the forest in Biotopia!
• Enjoy an unprecedented visit experience in Vendée, a journey through time and space, where you are in turn reduced to the scale of a ladybug in the immensity of the dune or flying in the forest like a dragonfly!
• Take the cycle path in the forest to the right. About 200m further, you will follow the Municipal Camping. Follow the trail, always straight.
• At the intersection, you will find Camping La Parée Chalons on your left. Continue straight on the bike path.
• At the next intersection, leave the bike path and continue straight on the Braie road. After Camping des Pins, turn right, rue de la Guillotière. About 300m further, turn left, Rue du Bois Giraud.
• At the stop, cross the RD38 and take the bike path along the road.

• Discovery of the marsh

• Take the first right, Enclose Road.
• You will now discover the marsh and its coasters!
• Continue straight and follow the bike markings. When he indicates it, turn left, Route du Botreau.

• To Kulmino

• You will see an imposing building: Kulmino, the water tower.
• At the stop sign, turn right on the road to Château d'Eau.

• The bourrine

• You will find a "bourrine" on your right. This house was a typical dwelling of the Vendée marsh.
• Located on marshy grounds, this dwelling has the particularity of using the natural resources of the region. The walls are of earth, the roof is covered with reeds, the frame was sometimes built with old wood, since the region lacked forests. Elm, willow and poplar were preferred. The use of stone was exceptional.
• In this respect, the bourrine uses the so-called "bigot" technique: the raw earth is trampled on by men, then mixed with water, the sand of neighboring dunes and vegetable fibers such as straw and hay.
• Continue straight on until the next stop.

• Kulmino, the spectacular panorama

• At the intersection, turn left, Quairruy Sellier road. You arrive at the foot of Kulmino.
• Kulmino is a site of visit, playful and unusual space to discover the secrets of the water and to benefit from a spectacular panorama. An elevator takes you to the top of the building, 70m high! The panoramic room, installed above the water tank, offers a breathtaking view of the marsh, the coastline and the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier.
• At the exit of Kulmino, retrace your steps. At the crow's feet, turn left and then right, Chemin de la Tamisière.

• The yards

• Follow the bike markup. Turn right, chemin de la Tonnelle. You will pass close to the trees. They are freshwater or brackish water and are full of reeds and salicornia. The coypuids and frogs are the kings and queens of the marsh. So watch and listen...
• At the end of the arbor road, turn left, Cesson road.

• The gray heron

• Continue on the Cesson road then Pillenières road.
• You may see Gray Herons. These tall, legged birds are often in the shallow waters, walking in search of food. Their food is mainly fish, eels and amphibians. This makes herons a good indicator of the biological richness of the waters of the Vendéen Breton marsh, their presence revealing that of the fish.
• After the farm Pillenières, turn right at the crossroads, to continue on the road Pillenières. Keep going straight on and then you join the RD38.

• The forest

• Cross the RD38 and continue straight, route of the Schoolgirl. Then take the bike path to the right.
• You will once again enter the forest of Pays de Monts, which covers more than 2000 hectares! The first pines were planted there in the 1850s to fix the dune and to prevent the houses being silted up during storms.
• Exit the bike path at the Arboretum.
• Take the opportunity to discover the Jardin du Vent, located just a few hundred meters from Biotopia, rue Gilbert Cesbron.